Joint Statement of the Leaders of the Five Nuclear-Weapon States on Preventing Nuclear War and Avoiding Arms Races
WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION, 10 Jan 2022
U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Italy - TRANSCEND Media Service
3 Jan 2022 – The People’s Republic of China, the French Republic, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the United States of America consider the avoidance of war between Nuclear-Weapon States and the reduction of strategic risks as our foremost responsibilities.
We affirm that a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought. As nuclear use would have far-reaching consequences, we also affirm that nuclear weapons—for as long as they continue to exist—should serve defensive purposes, deter aggression, and prevent war. We believe strongly that the further spread of such weapons must be prevented.
We reaffirm the importance of addressing nuclear threats and emphasize the importance of preserving and complying with our bilateral and multilateral non-proliferation, disarmament, and arms control agreements and commitments. We remain committed to our Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) obligations, including our Article VI obligation “to pursue negotiations in good faith on effective measures relating to cessation of the nuclear arms race at an early date and to nuclear disarmament, and on a treaty on general and complete disarmament under strict and effective international control.”
We each intend to maintain and further strengthen our national measures to prevent unauthorized or unintended use of nuclear weapons. We reiterate the validity of our previous statements on de-targeting, reaffirming that none of our nuclear weapons are targeted at each other or at any other State.
We underline our desire to work with all states to create a security environment more conducive to progress on disarmament with the ultimate goal of a world without nuclear weapons with undiminished security for all. We intend to continue seeking bilateral and multilateral diplomatic approaches to avoid military confrontations, strengthen stability and predictability, increase mutual understanding and confidence, and prevent an arms race that would benefit none and endanger all. We are resolved to pursue constructive dialogue with mutual respect and acknowledgment of each other’s security interests and concerns.
Go to Original – it.usembassy.gov
Tags: Abolition 2000, Atomic Weapons, China, France, ICAN-International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, Nuclear Abolition, Nuclear Arms in Space, Nuclear Ban Treaty, Nuclear Disaster, Nuclear Weapons, Nuclear club, Nuclear war, Russia, UK, USA, United Nations, WMD
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3 Responses to “Joint Statement of the Leaders of the Five Nuclear-Weapon States on Preventing Nuclear War and Avoiding Arms Races”
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WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION:
I am unimpressed. 70 years since their first actual use by the USA against civilians, I might add, the world is on hair trigger alert as evidenced by the Bulletin of Atomic Scientist’s Doomsday Clock now sitting at 100 seconds, yes seconds, before midnight. Then President Trump not only said “What’s the good of nuclear weapons if you can’t use them” and his abrogation of nuclear weapons treatiesshows the likelihood of a doomsday scenario. Meanwhile the USA is engaged in a ten year nuclear weapons buildup to the tune of $1+ Trillion including, so called mini-nukes for use in actual battlefield conditions. It is also quite clear that nukes are used offensively daily by the USA’s refusal to reject a “First Use” policy.
Clearly, the fact that these nuclear armed states found it necessay to make this statement proves the strength of the treaty making all nukes illegal. We must continue the pressure to stop this absolute madness.
Please allow this further comment. It’s most interesting to not this statement by the leaders of these nuclear states includes “We believe strongly that the further spread of such weapons must be prevented.” This is such an obvious attempt to maintain their unique threat over the world community. If, as they claim having nukes is a defensive posture, why then wouldn’t other states seek such an assurance by developing nukes themselves. All of this is evidenced by the USA’s stand off with N. Korea and its attempts to quash the efforts of other states to acquire nukes.
I agree with Robert above. We need to see action to stop modernizing the present nuclear weapons, to take nuclear weapons off hair trigger alert, to sign a No First Use/Sole Purpose and to prevent the President of any country being the sole finger on the button. Deterrence doesn’t work against accidents, miscalculations, or terrorists. It relies on sane decisions that are not made in 5 minutes, not by Presidents in the middle of the night, who might be on medication, or alcohol or sleep deprived.